Character: Jimmy Agnew

Let the good times roll

By Katie Matlack | Photo by Kenny Braun

Published: May 31, 2016

Jimmy Agnew (aka “Jimi Pedals”) took up the unicycle in 2007—on a dare from a 14-year-old student lacrosse manager. He’s been a dedicated advocate of the skill ever since. While teaching at St. Andrew’s, more kids were in his unicycling program than in football. Now, Agnew, who has a master’s in child development, works full time with his nonprofit, One Wheel, Many Children, which has brought the experience to hundreds of kids. He’s also had a documentary about his unicycle program win “Most Inspiring” at the 5Points Film Festival in Carbondale, Colorado, and show well at SXSWedu. Ultimately, his vision is to make unicycling a staple in early education worldwide.

Is there an art to unicycle maintenance?
There’s not much maintenance. Pump the tire, check the spokes, it’s pretty simple. There’s no working parts, but every now and then a pedal falls off.

I read that you live in a tiny house. Did that influence your choice to get a unicycle?
No. I have four bikes and 30 unicycles hanging in every little spare spot on the walls. I’ve got unicycles in the bathroom. But it’s classy. Where there’s a wheel, there’s a way.

I also read that you commute by unicycle.
I probably do 20 miles a week on my commuting unicycle.

Ever have road rage on your commute? Oh no. You can’t. You have to be so dialed in and focused. If you’re upset about somebody else, it’s not gonna happen.

What do you hear as you’re unicycling around town?
“Where’s your other wheel?” “What happened to your bike?” “Do a wheelie!” I get that last one a lot.

How’d you get the nickname “Jimi Pedals”?
When I was walking away from teaching second grade, 7-year-olds said, “Mr. Agnew, I hear you’re retiring to join the circus.” They came up with my circus name, Jimi Pedals. It’s also my Nintendo Wii character name.